Somersworth

History

Settlement and Establishment

The town we call ‘Somersworth’ has, through its history, held several variations of name. Originally settled around 1650, the area was known as ‘Sligo’, named after its Irish counterpart. The town of Sligo included both Somersworth and Rollinsford – and was also a section of Dover.

In 1729 the area was renamed as the parish of “Summersworth”, due to an annual summer influx of ministers. Upon its incorporation as a town in 1754, a clerical error created the misspelling we identify with: “Somersworth”.

Following incorporation, Somersworth continued to include Rollinsford until 1849; the larger district being known as Great Falls. In 1893, Somersworth was incorporated as a city, and at the time was known primarily for its gristmills and sawmills.

Economy

In 1822, brothers Isaac and Jacob Wendell of Boston had established the Great Falls Manufacturing Company, a textile business that ultimately included three mills for spinning thread and weaving fabrics. Throughout the 1800’s, other brick mill buildings were build alongside the Salmon Falls River. At first mill workers came from surrounding farms, including those in Berwick, Maine – directly across the bridge. Many workers were women, but as the need for labor grew, immigrants began arriving from Ireland and Quebec. The Great Depression sent many regional textile firms into bankruptcy, as some local facilities were repurposed for shoemaking. The Great Falls Manufacturing Company’s big mill was renovated for other uses in the 1980’s. Today, many original mill buildings now house businesses and residential apartments.

Upcoming Events

Jingle Bell Express Members get first pick! Saturday, December 8 & 1510:30am, 12pm, 1:30pm, 3pm Join us for a magical wintry journey to the Cochecho Country Club in the C&J double-decker bus to hear a reading of the classic children’s holiday story, The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg (copyright 1985). Enjoy refreshments, receive a keepsake gift, and a visit from a very special guest. MEMBER PRESALE: Thursday, Oct. 11 NON-MEMBER TICKETS: Friday, Oct. 12 $25/person Children ages two and under are free (Must sit on parents’ lap during the journey) LEARN MORE

We are a winter farmers’ market but that doesn’t mean we don’t have plenty of fresh food! There are locally grown fresh vegetables available all winter long, as well as locally raised meats, handmade cheeses, goats’ milk soaps, honey, baked goods, homemade meals for your freezer, and more. The extended Berwick community gathers at the market for good food, live music, and a chance to find out what is happening in Berwick. The downstairs information tables cover everything from the Berwick Library to Great Works Land Trust to Sports Sign-Ups with the Rec Department. Join us at Berwick Town Hall from November through April on the third Sunday of the month (except in April when the market will be the week after Easter which is the fourth Sunday of that month) from 10 am to 1:30 pm! Season: Winter Market Hours: November 18, 2018 December 16, 2018 January 20, 2019 February 17, 2019 March 17, 2019 April 21, 2019 3rd Sunday, 10am – 1:30pm Location: Berwick Town Hall, 11 Sullivan Square

Oct. 13 2018 – Jan. 3, 2019 Reception: Friday, Nov. 2, 5-7pm The latest Gallery 6 art exhibition features art by nine regional artists who use texture, pattern, scale, and line found in natural elements to reframe our surroundings in exciting ways. Imaginative vantage points turn crowds into colorful dots, and stone surfaces into topographical maps. Harmony is found between the channels in wood bored by beetles, and the arrangement of trees in a landscape seen from above.

We are a winter farmers’ market but that doesn’t mean we don’t have plenty of fresh food! There are locally grown fresh vegetables available all winter long, as well as locally raised meats, handmade cheeses, goats’ milk soaps, honey, baked goods, homemade meals for your freezer, and more. The extended Berwick community gathers at the market for good food, live music, and a chance to find out what is happening in Berwick. The downstairs information tables cover everything from the Berwick Library to Great Works Land Trust to Sports Sign-Ups with the Rec Department. Join us at Berwick Town Hall from November through April on the third Sunday of the month (except in April when the market will be the week after Easter which is the fourth Sunday of that month) from 10 am to 1:30 pm! Season: Winter Market Hours: November 18, 2018 December 16, 2018 January 20, 2019 February 17, 2019 March 17, 2019 April 21, 2019 3rd Sunday, 10am – 1:30pm Location: Berwick Town Hall, 11 Sullivan Square

We are a winter farmers’ market but that doesn’t mean we don’t have plenty of fresh food! There are locally grown fresh vegetables available all winter long, as well as locally raised meats, handmade cheeses, goats’ milk soaps, honey, baked goods, homemade meals for your freezer, and more. The extended Berwick community gathers at the market for good food, live music, and a chance to find out what is happening in Berwick. The downstairs information tables cover everything from the Berwick Library to Great Works Land Trust to Sports Sign-Ups with the Rec Department. Join us at Berwick Town Hall from November through April on the third Sunday of the month (except in April when the market will be the week after Easter which is the fourth Sunday of that month) from 10 am to 1:30 pm! Season: Winter Market Hours: November 18, 2018 December 16, 2018 January 20, 2019 February 17, 2019 March 17, 2019 April 21, 2019 3rd Sunday, 10am – 1:30pm Location: Berwick Town Hall, 11 Sullivan Square

We are a winter farmers’ market but that doesn’t mean we don’t have plenty of fresh food! There are locally grown fresh vegetables available all winter long, as well as locally raised meats, handmade cheeses, goats’ milk soaps, honey, baked goods, homemade meals for your freezer, and more. The extended Berwick community gathers at the market for good food, live music, and a chance to find out what is happening in Berwick. The downstairs information tables cover everything from the Berwick Library to Great Works Land Trust to Sports Sign-Ups with the Rec Department. Join us at Berwick Town Hall from November through April on the third Sunday of the month (except in April when the market will be the week after Easter which is the fourth Sunday of that month) from 10 am to 1:30 pm! Season: Winter Market Hours: November 18, 2018 December 16, 2018 January 20, 2019 February 17, 2019 March 17, 2019 April 21, 2019 3rd Sunday, 10am – 1:30pm Location: Berwick Town Hall, 11 Sullivan Square